Grace bat to be auctioned

A 113-year-old bat used by England cricket great WG Grace worth an estimated 30,000 pounds is to be auctioned at Sotheby's in London next month.

Grace, one of the most significant players in cricket history, was using the bat when he brought up his 1,000th Test run in a match against Australia at Lord's in June 1896.

Grace, also a successful bowler, subsequently gave the bat to Australian opponent Syd Gregory, who in turn passed it on to his fellow tourist and brother-in-law Harry Donnan on their return to Australia.

"I would expect it to go for somewhere in the region of 25,000-30,000 pounds," said auctioneer Graham Budd in a statement issued on Monday.

"From the evidence of the cording, Grace had probably used this bat for some time, culminating in his 1,000th Test run."

The bat, which is being sold on May 12, displays the autographs of Grace's England colleagues, Australian bowler Fred Spofforth and future British prime minister David Lloyd George.

Grace, whose duties as a doctor meant he went on only one Test-playing tour of Australia in 1891/92, played just 22 times for his country in an era when international matches were few and far between and pitches were considerably more difficult to bat on than they are now.

In 1880 Grace scored England's first Test hundred against Australia, at the Oval, and in 1896 was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year.